Our State of Victoria is caught up in the worst round of bush fires in our history. Over 200 people have died as a result of the fires and over 1850 homes have been destroyed.
This is a tragic situation and it is so sad to think that a number of the fires may have been the work of arsonists.
Scorching heat has not helped. Melbourne had a record high of 46.4 degrees Celsius – that's over 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
What can we do?
- Pray for those who have lost loved ones because of the fires. This is an incredible time of grief, sorrow, and even anger, for many people. It will not be easy for them to rebuild their lives after such horrendous loss. Pray for God's grace and comfort. Pray for the fire-fighters and emergency services as they continue to try to get multiple bush fires under control around the state. Pray for more rain and for favorable weather conditions.
- Where possible, offer emotional support and practical help to any families or neighbours directly affected by the fires.
- Consider making a financial donation. The federal government has set up a $10 million dollar bush fire relief fund but more will be needed. Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund can be made at any NAB branch or via internet banking. BSB: 082-001. Account number: 860 046 797. Victoria Police have urged those wishing to donate not to tie up 000 and other emergency hot-lines and instead to call the Red Cross Information Line on 1800 727 077. You can also donate online at www.redcross.org.au, by phoning 1800 811 700, or at any Bunnings store.
- Send a note of encouragement to the fire fighters by clicking here.
- Donate blood. Extra blood is especially important for burns victims who are receiving treatment in hospital. Appointments can be made by calling the Red Cross on 13 14 95.
Concerned about loved ones? Call 1800 727 077. The bushfire hot-line number is: 1800 240 667.
How very tragic. My heart goes out to all the families affected by the bushfires in Victoria, NSW and South Australia, as well as the flood victims in Queensland. Praying for them with you. Thanks Mark for the links and information for the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.
Thanks for providing this coverage, Mark. I was very concerned for those affected by the bushfires and wanted so badly to help. Just watching Channel Ten’s news this afternoon, the best thing to do is to make a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and we can ring them on 1800 811 700 besides the info you provided.
I remember after the Tsunami some years ago, Westpac Bank matched dollar for dollar every donation made and I made my donation through them because that then doubled my donation. I’m going to wait to find out if Westpac or some other financial institution will do that for this instance. Thought I would share this info so that those who wish to make a donation can check it out and double what they donate.
Hey, thanks for letting me off the hook, Mark. I wasn’t seriously going to buy the book by Frank Viola and George Bana. I was just very curious and thought we had all digressed from the point of your post so tried to draw the interest back to it. Guess it didn’t work. 🙁
I’m still happy, ‘cos I know my Lord loves me. 🙂
Shalom
It is very sad indeed that these catastrophes happened at least once every year. Indeed, my prayers have been for those who suffered losses and the fire-fighters in these terrible circumstances.
I pray all their needs are met according to the riches of His Glory in Christ Jesus.
Let us continue to believe for more rain in Jesus Wonderful Name!
Thanks Mark for the info.
Blessings!!!
In response to Happy, any donation made at Myer on behalf of the Salvation Army will be matched by Myer:
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/SALV/NEWSRELESE/PC_62630.html
Thank you equuleus for the helpful information on donations and the link. As a nation, it’s good we all pull together to help others in times of crisis. Blessings.
Just an idea.
Wrt to blood donation, one suggestion is that Citylife hosts a blood donation event that involves church partners, regular visitors and the residents & community in Knox city.
Citylife can organise the event in conjunction with Red Cross and/or relevant organisations and have the blood donation drive to be held at our Knox campus.
I think this is one practical way that Citylife can be more engaged with and impact the community.
Steven
Equuleus, thank you so much for the information. I had been checking to find out if the financial institutions would make this offer but I guess they are in such dire straits themselves, they couldn’t do it.
Thanks for your suggestion Steven. Whilst it’s a great idea, it’s probably just as easy for us to go to them than for them to come to our Knox campus. Having said that, should it be organised, I’d gladly donate my blood.
I was wondering about offering practical help down the track. I think it looks like the people affected will be without proper accommodation for several months till the homes can be rebuilt. How practical would it be to book accommodation in unaffected areas for them to live in relative comfort such as in Falls Creek for example?
I haven’t worked through the details but that’s why I’m asking the question to get some feedback.
Hope you don’t mind, Mark.
I know many of us want to help in practical ways. Winter is coming up and camp sites will be less than ideal.
Myer has now launched an appeal to match dollar for dollar up to $500,000 to raise $1million.
Brethren,
Please donate to only legitimate organisations like Salvation Army, The Red Cross, City Life and other corporations like Myer, NAB.
The ACCC has just put out a warning, “Warning over bushfire appeal scams
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning of potential scams as people prepare to donate to the various bushfire appeals.
35 minutes ago Avoid bushfire charity scams, urges ACCC
The consumer watchdog has warned people to beware of scammers pretending to be bushfire charities
Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
Yes, it is best to donate through reputable organisations or directly to people in need.
We have some families in our church who have been affected and lost homes and we are helping them directly with accommodation, etc.
This tragic event is not over yet and there will be a lot of rebuilding for people to work through.
P.S. Hey, Stephen, what’s with the ‘brethren’? We have men and women on this blog so a more gender-inclusive word would be better. It might be time to get rid of your King James Bible and get something more relevant? 🙂
Ok Mark!
Perhaps, I ought to go for the Living Bible huh!LOL!
Blessings!!!
Hey Mark, sorry to hear about the families at City Life Church loosing their homes. This is a chance for the church to shine and be Jesus to those affected by these tragic bushfires. I can’t imagine how awful it must be for them all. Are you having a collection for them? I’d like to help.
Ps. Aren’t we the Bride of Christ and sons of God? HMMmmm? HaHaHa 🙂 Nothing wrong with the King James, apart from the Thees, Thous, saith, etc. LOL 🙂 I prefere the New King James Version myself which is much easier to read, and use it alongside some other neat translations.
Shalom Marija!
What a lovely coincidence! I am using the New King James myself. Actually, it is the New King James Spirit Filled Life Bible. To me, this is the best studying Bible that I have encountered so far.
Wow, that was a revelation for me, “Aren’t we the Bride of Christ and sons of God?”
Thanks Marija!
This ought to give our senior pastor and dear friend something to think about. LOL!
Blessings!!!
Hi Stephen,
Great to hear you are being blessed by the New King James study Bible. I’m positive that Mark already knows about us being the Bride of Christ and the sons of God. He’s spoken about it many times before in his messages 🙂
Sorry about that Ticked Off.
We got to have our strength in times like this.
Thus, the Joy of the Lord is our strength.
No harm meant.
Bless you my friend!!!
PS: Marija my email is smchia7@yahoo.com.au.
Shalom!
Sorry you feel Ticked Off.
We’re all doing our best to help others in whatever way we can, whether financial support, physical support or just praying. My heart breaks with compassion for all those affected by this crisis.
I just heard that Coles is donating their daily profit they make from shoppers this Friday to the Bushfire Victims Appeal. So try to do your family grocery shopping then to help out in this small way.
Stephen thanks for your e-mail.
Shalom
I think most Australians are compassionate and generous in times like this, however, we would all live in a better world when we all think and act like this everyday and not just during disasters like this. Even more so for christ-followers to lead the way.
Please support the bushfire victims by shopping at Coles this Friday.
Coles will donate this Friday’s (13Feb) profits from its 750 stores nationally to the Government’s Bushfire Appeal Fund in partnership with the Red Cross.
Customers will also be able to directly donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund at all Coles stores. Donations can be made at all Coles Supermarket checkouts from Monday 9 Feb.
Darn, I just did my grocery shopping today at Coles. Might I add that there are quite a few good items that can be bought at a reduced price for donations to those affected by the bushfires. Laundry powder, toilet paper, biscuits to name a few.
Thank you, Support Bushfire Victims for the info. I’ll make sure I go again on Friday.
To jeff, I echo your sentiments 100%. But you know what, even at times like these the unscrupulous still get up to no good. Looters at a time like this, how abominable!
What I find hard to comprehend myself is the duration of this devastation. There has to be light at the end of the tunnel for all concerned. How much more can the human spirit take?
Hey, just a thought, is there anyone out there who could co-ordinate helping some of the people affected by the fires to write their resumes and to kind of get their minds off their situation and rekindle their fighting spirit to look to the future and to getting jobs?
Any thoughts on how to get this started. It’s probably Centrelink’s job to do that, huh?
It would be really cool if the HR people could help out now. I’m no HR expert but I’ll help people write their resumes if they want.
Thank you Mark for offering a reasoned, Christian voice. I came here from a link in The Age reading Danny’s statement. It was good for me to come here and see a Christian leader offering hope and healing instead of hate.
Hi David,
I second what you have just said 🙂
Thanking God for your leadership Mark Conner and for your compassionate healing message of HOPE that’s so relevant today! Keep up the great work 🙂